GeekWeek World Cup Preview: Group D
|
May 25 2010, 8:05 PM
Group D
GP W D L GS GA GD Pts 1 Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Serbia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Australia: Australia enter the tournament with a strong defensive spine, led by Captain Lucas Neill at center-back and Mark Schwarzer in goal, two very experienced players from the English Premier League. At one point, the Socceroos went 7 matches before letting in a goal during qualification. In total, 14 players from their provisional World Cup roster played four years ago in Germany, making them one of the more experienced squads in not only Group D, but the entire tournament. Tim Cahill is a strong attacking presence in midfield, who has averaged 1 goal every 2 games while on international duty. His finishing will be vital to the team's success in South Africa, because the Aussies lack a world-class striker up front. Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton will add more experience on the wings, along with strength and physicality, if not blistering pace. Australia's toughness will make it very hard for teams to out-muscle them, but offensive production is still a big question mark for manager Pim Verbeek.
Player to Watch: Tim Cahill
Cahill is a dynamic attacker whose work-rate and energy make him a pleasure to watch. Blessed with great finishing ability and good aerial skills, the Everton midfielder always seems to come up with absolutely crucial goals for his club and country.
Germany: 3 time trophy winners Germany enter the World Cup after breezing through qualification in a group featuring Russia, but injuries have taken their toll in recent weeks with veteran Captain Michael Ballack and possible replacement Christian Trasch being ruled out, along with 1st choice goalkeeper Rene Adler. However, the Germans' depth of experience along with finely tuned tactical intelligence and organization should ensure that every player in the squad knows their responsibility at all times. The Germans' possess a seemingly innate ability to play well in major tournaments using their grit, resilience, and cool-headedness to triumph over adversity. For instance, Germany has participated in 4 penalty shootouts in the World Cup, and never lost. Miroslav Klose will bring his 48 international goal tally, and brilliant heading ability to the squad, and Bastian Schweinsteiger will likely anchor the midfield in place of the injured Ballack. However, the defense, led by Per Mertesacker at center-back, is not quite as leak-proof as in recent years. This might be due in part to speedy left-back Philip Lahm's inclination to go forward and create through mazy runs and accurate crossing. 21 year-old Werder Bremen starlet Mesut Ozil will be asked to provide creative spark behind the main striker with his brilliant ball control and accurate left-foot, and Lukas Podolski has assisted on many goals from his position on the left-wing.
Player to Watch: Mesut Ozil
Known for his ability to razzle and dazzle, Ozil is not your typical German player in a team that traditionally values teamwork over individual flair. But, Ozil's play is also symbolic of the mentality shift in German soccer that began with Klinsmann's 2006 team, and has been carried on by his successor Joachim Loew. The new Germany embraces the idea that a prolific attack can one of the best kinds of defense.
Ghana: The "Black Stars" were the only African team to make it out of the group stages in 2006, and they will be looking to duplicate, and even surpass that performance on their home continent in 2010. Ghana's well-balanced midfield foursome of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, and Kevin Prince-Boateng is a powerful force to be reckoned with, and they will look to assert their dominance in every match in front of solid defenders John Paintsil and John Mensah. A defensive minded unit, Ghana will look to squeeze their opponents out of every match by controlling possession, and not allowing opponents any time on the ball or room to create. Strikers Matthew Amaoh and Asamoah Gyan will lead the attack up-front, but the team does not possess great depth in forwards. However, if the midfield and back four perform to the best of their ability, Ghana might not need many goals to advance out of Group D.
Player to Watch: Sulley Muntari
We know Essien is a rock in midfield, but will Muntari bring the industry, tackling, and ferocious shot to South Africa which prompted Jose Mourinho to bring him to Inter Milan in 2008? If he can provide consistent offense and defense to the side, Ghana will rival Ivory Coast for the title of best African team in the tournament.
Serbia: Somewhat surprising group winners in qualification, Serbia finished above France to earn automatic qualification to the World Cup, and will round out a very tough Group D. Dejan Stankovic, fresh off winning the Champions League trophy with Inter Milan, brings vast experience, good passing, and solid tackling to midfield, while Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic is a beast at the back with his strength and ability to win headers. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic will also provide excellent marking ability and stamina to the Serbian defense. Imposing 6'8 striker Nikola Zigic will be a handful in the box, so Serbia have plenty of weapons that could fire the team into the knockout rounds.
Player to Watch: Nemanja Vidic
Vidic will be called upon to anchor his team's impressive back line, and possesses the strength, height, and tackling ability to deal with just about every striker in the world.
Schedule:
Date Venue
Teams
13 June
Johannesburg
Germany
-
Australia
13 June Pretoria Serbia -
Ghana 18 June Port Elizabeth Germany -
Serbia 19 June Rustenburg Ghana -
Australia
23 June Johannesburg Ghana -
Germany 23 June Nelspruit Australia -
Serbia
Follow @Sham0ut on Twitter!
Group D
GP W D L GS GA GD Pts 1 Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Serbia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Australia: Australia enter the tournament with a strong defensive spine, led by Captain Lucas Neill at center-back and Mark Schwarzer in goal, two very experienced players from the English Premier League. At one point, the Socceroos went 7 matches before letting in a goal during qualification. In total, 14 players from their provisional World Cup roster played four years ago in Germany, making them one of the more experienced squads in not only Group D, but the entire tournament. Tim Cahill is a strong attacking presence in midfield, who has averaged 1 goal every 2 games while on international duty. His finishing will be vital to the team's success in South Africa, because the Aussies lack a world-class striker up front. Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton will add more experience on the wings, along with strength and physicality, if not blistering pace. Australia's toughness will make it very hard for teams to out-muscle them, but offensive production is still a big question mark for manager Pim Verbeek.
Player to Watch: Tim Cahill
Cahill is a dynamic attacker whose work-rate and energy make him a pleasure to watch. Blessed with great finishing ability and good aerial skills, the Everton midfielder always seems to come up with absolutely crucial goals for his club and country.
Germany: 3 time trophy winners Germany enter the World Cup after breezing through qualification in a group featuring Russia, but injuries have taken their toll in recent weeks with veteran Captain Michael Ballack and possible replacement Christian Trasch being ruled out, along with 1st choice goalkeeper Rene Adler. However, the Germans' depth of experience along with finely tuned tactical intelligence and organization should ensure that every player in the squad knows their responsibility at all times. The Germans' possess a seemingly innate ability to play well in major tournaments using their grit, resilience, and cool-headedness to triumph over adversity. For instance, Germany has participated in 4 penalty shootouts in the World Cup, and never lost. Miroslav Klose will bring his 48 international goal tally, and brilliant heading ability to the squad, and Bastian Schweinsteiger will likely anchor the midfield in place of the injured Ballack. However, the defense, led by Per Mertesacker at center-back, is not quite as leak-proof as in recent years. This might be due in part to speedy left-back Philip Lahm's inclination to go forward and create through mazy runs and accurate crossing. 21 year-old Werder Bremen starlet Mesut Ozil will be asked to provide creative spark behind the main striker with his brilliant ball control and accurate left-foot, and Lukas Podolski has assisted on many goals from his position on the left-wing.
Player to Watch: Mesut Ozil
Known for his ability to razzle and dazzle, Ozil is not your typical German player in a team that traditionally values teamwork over individual flair. But, Ozil's play is also symbolic of the mentality shift in German soccer that began with Klinsmann's 2006 team, and has been carried on by his successor Joachim Loew. The new Germany embraces the idea that a prolific attack can one of the best kinds of defense.
Ghana: The "Black Stars" were the only African team to make it out of the group stages in 2006, and they will be looking to duplicate, and even surpass that performance on their home continent in 2010. Ghana's well-balanced midfield foursome of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, and Kevin Prince-Boateng is a powerful force to be reckoned with, and they will look to assert their dominance in every match in front of solid defenders John Paintsil and John Mensah. A defensive minded unit, Ghana will look to squeeze their opponents out of every match by controlling possession, and not allowing opponents any time on the ball or room to create. Strikers Matthew Amaoh and Asamoah Gyan will lead the attack up-front, but the team does not possess great depth in forwards. However, if the midfield and back four perform to the best of their ability, Ghana might not need many goals to advance out of Group D.
Player to Watch: Sulley Muntari
We know Essien is a rock in midfield, but will Muntari bring the industry, tackling, and ferocious shot to South Africa which prompted Jose Mourinho to bring him to Inter Milan in 2008? If he can provide consistent offense and defense to the side, Ghana will rival Ivory Coast for the title of best African team in the tournament.
Serbia: Somewhat surprising group winners in qualification, Serbia finished above France to earn automatic qualification to the World Cup, and will round out a very tough Group D. Dejan Stankovic, fresh off winning the Champions League trophy with Inter Milan, brings vast experience, good passing, and solid tackling to midfield, while Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic is a beast at the back with his strength and ability to win headers. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic will also provide excellent marking ability and stamina to the Serbian defense. Imposing 6'8 striker Nikola Zigic will be a handful in the box, so Serbia have plenty of weapons that could fire the team into the knockout rounds.
Player to Watch: Nemanja Vidic
Vidic will be called upon to anchor his team's impressive back line, and possesses the strength, height, and tackling ability to deal with just about every striker in the world.
Schedule:
Date Venue Teams 13 June Johannesburg Germany - Australia 13 June Pretoria Serbia - Ghana 18 June Port Elizabeth Germany - Serbia 19 June Rustenburg Ghana - Australia 23 June Johannesburg Ghana - Germany 23 June Nelspruit Australia - Serbia
Follow @Sham0ut on Twitter!
Comments
Sign in to comment with your TypePad, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Yahoo or OpenID.